Bulk hauling vehicle incorporating barrel cleaning mechanism



Sept. 21, 1965 s, w z 3,207,166

BULK HAULING VEHICLE INCORPORATING BARREL CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. FREDERICK S.WINTZER,

ATTORNEYS.

Se t. 21, 1965 F. s. WINTZER BULK HAULING VEHICLE INCORPORATING BARREL CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FREDERICK S. WINTZER,

F. S. WINTZER Sept. 21, 1965 BULK HAULING VEHICLE INGORPORA'I'ING BARREL CLEANING MECHANISM Filed March 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FREDERICK S. WINTZER,

Fig. 8

F. S. WINTZER Sept. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2, 1964 INVENTOR. FREDERICK 8, WINTER, fix W gwv a J l I Fig.6

ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,207,166 BULK HAULING VEHICLE INCORPORATING BARREL CLEANING MECHANISM Frederick S. Wintzer, Wapakoneta, Ohio, assignor to G. A. Wintzer & Son Company, Wapakoneta, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 348,746 3 Claims. (Cl. 134-115) This invention relates to vehicles for use in the collection of waste materials of the meat, poultry and fish industries and has to do more particularly with :a vehicle equipped not only to handle the bulk materials but also to clean and transport the containers in which the waste products are initially stored by the establishments wherein they originate.

In the rendering industry, the renderer will normally operate a fleet of trucks to haul the otherwise Waste materials from their source to the renderers plant where these materials are converted into useful products, such as tallow, grease and pressed tankage or meat meal. The waste materials consist essentially of trim fats and bones, used cooking greases, and the heads, feet and viscera of slaughtered animals. For many years the most convenient and economical containers for moving these materials about in their place of origin and for hauling them to the rendering plant has been open-headed steel barrels, usually a standard 55 gallon drum. The barrels, when filled, would be hauled by the renderer to his plant where they would be emptied and then washed, whereupon the clean, empty barrels would be exchanged for full ones as the driver made his rounds of customers.

In recent years most renderers have found it more practical to haul the waste materials in bulk, which results in substantial cost savings by achieving larger pay loads and eliminating barrel handling labor at the renders plant. However, such bulk hauling has presented a dilemma in that, except for a very few large processers, the open-headed steel barrel has continued to be the most practical container for use by the slaughterer and retail establishment to move the waste materials about and store them for collection. In addition, most processers are not equipped to clean the large barrels, and with todays high sanitary standards coupled with the increasing competition among renderers for prime sources of Supply, the necessity for an economical and practical solution to the problem of providing the customer with clean barrels and at the same time endeavor to retain the advantages of bulk hauling has become of paramount concern to the renderer.

The instant invention offers a practical solution to the problem, and accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a bulk hauling vehicle which incorporates means for readily and efliciently cleaning the barrels at the point of origin of the waste material.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle of the character described which also provides space for the transportation of additional barrels should they be needed by the customer.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a barrel cleaning device which is practical, efiicient and economical in that it forms an integral part of the bulk hauling vehicle and is completely self-contained.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle body, the roof of which is so constructed that it serves as a container dumping and cleaning area, the filled containers being delivered to the roof by a lift tailgate, whereon the contents are discharged into the bulk storage area of the body through one or more doors in the roof and the containers then moved to the cleaning unit which is also mounted in the roof of the vehicle body.

The foregoing, together with other objects of the invention which will appear hereinafter or which will be apparent to the skilled Worker in the art upon reading this specification, are accomplished by that construction and arrangement of parts of which an exemplary embodiment will now be described.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the manner in which a vehicle body in accordance with the invention is hingedly mounted for dumping movement of its bulk contents.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the truck body.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the truck body.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the truck body with parts broken away.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the rearward end of the truck body illustrating the various positions of use of the tailgate lift.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view with parts broken away of the barrel cleaning unit.

FIGURE 7 is also an elevational view with parts broken away of the barrel cleaning unit taken from the left side of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the barrel cleaning unit as seen from the roof of the truck body.

Briefly, in the practice of the instant invention the vehicle comprises an enclosed truck body mounted on any suitable chassis, which may conveniently comprise a convention-a1 truck having a cab and a rearwardly projecting chassis or frame for mounting the truck body. Thus, as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a conventional truck 1 has a rearwardly projecting frame 2 on which the body 3 is mounted. In accordance with the invention, the body 3 will be hingedly connected at 4 to the frame 2 so that the body may be moved from its normal position-shown in solid lines-to a tilted or dumped position, as shown in dotted lines. Since the body normally will be dumped only in the plant of the renderer, it is unnecessary to provide truck mounted lift means for tilting the body, although such means may be provided if so desired. Preferably, the body will be provided at its upper front end with a suitable shackle or similar device 5 which may be readily engaged by a hook 6 forming a part of an overhead crane. Thus, the bulk waste will be transported in the truck body from its source to the renderers plant where the entire truck body will be up-ended to deposit the waste in a suitable receiving bin.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the truck body is divided internally into a forward bulk storage com partment 7 and a rearward barrel storage compartment 8, the two compartments being separated from each other by a pair of hinged doors 9 and 10 which, when closed, form a partition between the two compartments, and when open permit the waste material to be discharged upon up-ending movement of the body.

The barrel cleaning unit is indicated generally at 11; and as will be seen, it preferably lies just rearwardly of the bulk storage compartment 7, occupying an inner corner of the barrel storage compartment 8. It will be noted that the forward compartment 7 is provided with a vertically disposed slope sheet 12 extending forwardly from the barrel cleaning unit, the slope sheet acting to divert material toward the discharge opening defined by the doors 9 and 10.

At its rearmost end, the body 3 mounts a tailgate 13 which, when the vehicle is being moved about, is adapted to occupy the up-turned position illustrated in FIGURE 5 at 13a. However, when the vehicle arrives at the renderers plant, the tailgate is lowered to the extended position illustrated in solid lines in FIGURE 5. In addition to such extended position, the tailgate 13 is also provided with lift mechanism, including the vertically disposed tracks 14 and cables 14a, by means of which the tailgate may be used .as a lift, traveling upwardly along the tracks 14 until it reaches the roof 15 of the truck body. The elevated position of the tailgate is shown in dotted lines at 13b in FIGURE 5. The tailgate is also movable downwardly to the ground level position 130. Tailgate lifts are well known in the art and, as such, the lift does not constitute a part of the instant invention. It serves as a convenient means for delivering the filled barrels to the roof of the truck body where they are emptied and cleaned and then returned.

The roof of the truck body will be suitably reinforced to support the weight of the filled barrels together with the weight of one or more persons moving about thereon; and preferably the roof itself will be in the form of a grating, indicated at 16, formed from expanded metal or similar material. Such arrangement provides adequate ventilation for the waste material and also provides an anti-slip surface for persons working thereon, while at the same time permitting the barrels to slide. Of course, where santiary regulations require the storage compartment to be completely enclosed, a non-skid surface such as embossed steel or aluminum plate may be employed. The barrels upon delivery to the roof of the truck body are emptied into the bulk storage compartment 7 through either the forward door 17 or the mid-section door 18, which also may be formed grating or plate, as desired. Upon being emptied, the barrels are moved to the barrel cleaning unit 11 which has a barrel receiving well 19 recessed in the roof 15. The washing unit is located to one side of the roof so that the operator will have ample room to slide the barrels across the roof to the bulk compartment doors where the barrels are dumped, whereupon they may be readily moved to the barrel cleaning unit without being carried. Subsequent to washing, the barrels may be returned to the tailgate 13 for return to the ground level. Should the necessity arise for its useas where the tailgate would become inoperative-an escape hatch 20 is provided in the roof for access to the barrel storage compartment.

The diameter of the well 19 formed in the roof is such that it will readily accomodate the open end of an inverted barrel with the mouth of the barrel seated on the supporting surface 21 which overlies the drain 22 and the spray nozzles 23 and 24. The nozzles are positioned to direct streams of washing solution upwardly against the inner surfaces of the barrel. The washing action is initiated by the operator stepping upon the treadle 25 which, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, initiates high velocity sprays which impinge upon the inner surfaces and bottom of the barrel. Preferably, the spraynozzle 23 will be a high impact fan jet nozzle oriented so as to direct a thin fan shaped spray against the inside wall surface of the barrel opposite the nozzle. The orientation of the spray nozzle 23 can be best seen in FIGURE 6 wherein it will be apparent that it is oriented to direct a spray upwardly from left to right. The nozzle 24 will also preferably comprise a fan jet nozzle oriented to direct a spray vertically upwardly for contact with the bottom surface of the drum. Complete cleaning of the inner wall surfaces and bottom is effected by slowly rotating the barrel through 360. That is, the operator will place a barrel in the well, actuate the treadle 25, and then slowly rotate it through one complete revolution.

The drum cleaning unit is self-contained in that it carries a supply of washing solution in a tank 26. The solution from the tank 26 passes downwardly through an inlet conduit 27 to pump 28 which acts to pump the washing solution upwardly under pressure through the outlet conduit 29 operatively connected to the spray nozzles 23 and 24. The system is recirculating in that washing solutior sprayed against the inner surfaces of the barrel drains downwardly into the well 19 where it flows into the drain 22, through filter screen 30 for return directly into tank 25. The filter screen will be chosen that it will have a mesh smaller than the outlet openings in the spray nozzles, and it will be readily removable for cleaning. Thus, waste material removed from the barrels by the sprays will fall onto the screen; and when a appreciable amount of waste has collected, the operator can remove the screen and empty it into the bulk compartment. The size of the mesh will prevent the recirculation of particles of a size which would .tend to clog the nozzles. The tank may be drained at the end of operation by means of drain valve 27a which may be conveniently located at the bottom end of conduit 27.

If desired, the cleaning unit may be provided with a branch conduit 31 leading to a third nozzle 32 lying outside the periphery of the well 19 and oriented to direct a spray against the outside surface of the barrel adjacent its mouth. Such nozzle insures cleaning of the exterior surfaces of the barrels in the areas most likely to become soiled in use. T o accommodate the nozzle 32, the well 19 may have one side thereof shortened, as at 19a (see FIGURES 7 and 8) between the points A and B so that the spray from nozzle 23 will emanate from beneath the narrower wall portion 19a. The narrower wall portion will nonetheless serve to confine the sprays and direct the spent water downward onto underlying ledge 21 for return to drain 22.

The pump 28 which circulates the washing solution is preferably powered by means of an hydraulic motor 33 operatively conected to the pump by means of a flexible coupling 34. Hydraulic fluid will be continuously circulated through the pumping system. Thus, fluid under pressure enters the system through inlet conduit 35 through which it travels upwardly to hydraulic valve 36 the movement of which is controlled by the treadle 25. When the treadle is in the on or wash position, the inlet conduit 35 will be operatively connected to feed conduit 37 which delivers the hydraulic fluid to the inlet side 33a of motor 33. The outlet side 33b of the motor is connected to discharge conduit 38 which, in turn, is connect-ed through branch conduit 38a to outlet conduit 39 which serves to return the hydraulic fluid to its source of supply. When the treadle 25 is released or moved to the off position, the valve acts to close the upper end of feed conduit 37, and the hydraulic fluid is diverted into discharge conduit 38b wherein it flows downwardly to branch conduit 38a and thence to the source of supply. Preferably a feed back conduit 40 will be provided between motor 33 and the outlet side of the system to relieve pressure on the oil seals of motor 33. A hydraulic system is preferred in that it eliminates the presence of electrical connections and the like in the area of the cleaning unit which incorporates a gas heating system. In addition, the tailgate lift mechanism may be conveniently operated by a hydraulic unit and consequently a single hydraulic system may be used to power both the pump and the tailgate.

The cleaning solution, which preferably comprises water containing a detergent and/ or disinfectant, is heated by means of a burner 41 (FIGURE 6) underlying the tank 26. The tank and burner is surrounded by a housing 42 which, as will be apparent from FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, defines passageways 43 surrounding the tank 26, such passageways opening upwardly into a vent 44. The burner 41 acts to heat the underside of the tank 26 and at the same time hot gasses may flow upwardly around the tank thereby further assisting in heating its contents. It is also preferred to provide an auxiliary burner unit 45 underlying the pump 28 to prevent the pump from freezing during cold weather. It will be understood that the burners 41 and 45 will be connected through suitable piping to a source of propane or similar compressed gas which may be conveniently mounted beneath the truck body; and the burners will also incorporate suitable pilot lights and thermostatic controls for regulating the temperature of the washing solution. Preferably, the washing solution will be maintained at an operating range from 130165 F.

As should now be apparent the instant invention provides a vehicle particularly suited to the needs of the renderer as well as those of his customers. The vehicle not only permits the convenience and economy of bulk hauling, but at the same time the waste storage barrels may be readily cleaned as they are emptied with a minimum of handling. In addition, ample space is provided for the transportation of additional barrels should replacements be required or should the user require an additional supply. The barrel cleaning unit is wholly self-contained in that it carries its own supply of washing solution and also the means for heating such solution. Upon return to the renderers plant, barrels stored in the rearward storage compartment may be readily removed, whereupon the doors 9 and 10 may be opened and the contents of the bulk storage compartment readily discharged by the simple expedient of up-ending the entire body. The construction of the body is such that it may be readily cleaned and serviced for reuse. Obviously, the invention also will find utility for other purposes wherein similar problems are encountered. For example, such vehicle could be readily employed to haul garbage and at the same time provide clean cans. In the case of garbage or similar waste materials, the interior of the vehicle may be divided into a plurality of storage compartments so that the contents may be segregated.

Having thus described the invention in an exemplary embodiment and with the understanding that modifications may be made therein without departing from its spirit and purpose, what it is desired to secure and protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle for holding waste materials, a body supporting frame, a truck body mounted on said frame, said body having a floor, a front wall, opposing side walls and a load-bearing roof, displaceable partition means within said body intermediate the opposite ends of said side walls and defining a forward bulk storage compartment and a rearward barrel storage compartment, a reclosable access opening in the roof of said body overlying said bulk storage compartment and of a size sufiicient to permit barrels of waste material to be emptied into said bulk storage compartment, said roof being formed in part at least of grating, an annular opening in said roof above said rearward barrel storage compartment, barrel cleaning means underlying said annular opening for cleaning an inverted barrel inserted in said opening, and actuating means for said barrel cleaning means mounted on said roof adjacent said annular opening.

2. The structure claimed in claim 1 wherein the said body is pivotally mounted for movement from a horizontally disposed position to an upended position in which said displaceable partition means is at the lower side of said bulk storage compartment, whereby the contents of said compartment may be discharged by gravity.

3. In a vehicle for hauling waste materials, a body supporting frame, a truck body mounted on said frame, said body having a floor, a front wall, opposing side Walls and a load bearing roof, displaceable partition means within said body intermediate the opposite ends of said side walls and defining a forward bulk storage compartment and a rearward barrel storage compartment, a reclosable access opening in the roof of said body overlying said bulk storage compartment and of a size sufiicient to permit barrels of waste material to be emptied into said bulk storage compartment, said roof being formed in part at least of grating, an annular opening in said roof above said rearward barrel storage compartment, barrel cleaning means underlying said annular opening for cleaning an inverted barrel inserted in said opening, actuating means for said barrel cleaning means mounted on said roof adjacent said annular opening, and a movable tailgate extending across the rear of said truck body, said tailgate being movable from a lowermost position in which barrels may be loaded thereon from the ground to an uppermost position in which the barrels may be removed directly onto the roof of said truck body.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,185,195 5/16 Graham 29624 1,311,639 7/ 19 Cartwright. 1,910,931 5/33 Newsome 134148 2,059,997 11/36 Kacstner 134-15 3 2,136,010 11/38 Housdorfer 298-17 X 2,951,490 9/60 Cuillier 134-148 X FOREIGN PATENTS 971,030 11/58 Germany.

1,048,492 1/59 Germany.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. GEORGE J. NORTH, Examiner. 

1. IN A VEHICLE FOR HOLDING WASTE MATERIALS, A BODY SUPPORTING FRAME, A TRUCK BODY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID BODY HAVING A FLOOR, A FRONT WALL, OPPOSING SIDE WALLS AND A LOAD-BEARING ROOF, DISPLACEABLE PARTITION MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY INTERMEDIATE THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SIDE WALLS SAID DEFINING A FORWARD BULK STORAGE COMPARTMENT AND A REARWARD BARREL STORAGE COMPARTMENT, A RECLOSABLE ACCESS OPENING IN THE ROOF OF SAID BODY OVERLYING SAID BULK STORAGE COMPARTMENT AND OF A SIZE SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT BARRELS OF WASTE MATERIAL TO BE EMPTIED INTO SAID BULK STORAGE COMPARTMENT, SAID ROOF BEING FORMED IN PART AT LEAST OF GRATING, AN ANNULAR OPENING IN SAID ROOF ABOVE SAID REARWARD BARREL STORAGE COMPARTMENT, BARREL CLEANING MEANS UNDERLYING SAID ANNULAR OPENING FOR CLEANING AN INVERTED BARREL INSERTED IN SAID OPENING, AND ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID BARREL CLEANING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID ROOF ADJACENT SAID ANNULAR OPENING. 